Vikings without coach Zimmer against Cowboys after emergency eye surgery

The Minnesota Vikings have announced head coach Mike Zimmer will not be available for Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Zimmer underwent emergency eye surgery on a detached retina on Wednesday and will not be on the sidelines in Minneapolis.

Consequently, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will take over head coaching duties.

"This morning [Thursday] he did have a follow-up appointment and after this morning's appointment coach Zimmer will not be coaching tonight. We thought this in the best interest of his health," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said.

"We have the utmost confidence in Mike Priefer, that he will be able to handle the interim responsibilities.

"We are taking it one day at a time. We want to get through tonight's game and then tomorrow we will reassess where we're at."

The Vikings started the season 5-0 but have lost five of their last six.